Bowman Bay/Rosario Beach Trail

by Windermere Whidbey Island

The trail stretching between Bowman Bay and Rosario Beach is relatively short and easy but includes some of the best PNW views this area has to offer. Rosario Beach is famous for a number of things. It’s one of the few easily accessible tide pools due to the exposed bedrock but has been over-loved in the past and volunteers do their best to protect the fragile creatures from human impact. The second claim to fame is the Rosario Head Trail. An incredibly popular hike for its stunning views which is probably why it was chosen for the closing funeral scene in Captain Fantastic. Lastly, don’t miss the pole carving of Kwuh-kwal-uhl-wut, the Maiden of Deception Pass. For more info on all these highlights check out the blog post!

Check out the rest of Whidbey’s beautiful destinations from this series here.

Destination Whidbey • Langley • Things to Do on Whidbey • May 8, 2023

Whale Park in Langley

by Windermere Whidbey Island

Have you heard the whale bell ring while in Langley in the spring? While that is a nice rhyme it is also a legitimate question. Every spring gray whales feed off ghost shrimp in the muddy shallows just off the shore. If you are lucky, they will come right up to the seawall! The bell and “Hope the Whale” are the stars of this iconic park. What some people miss is that the blowholes in “Hope” are there to collect money to fund ADA modifications to improve access to Seawall Park below. This will help everyone see the whales when they arrive. Bring your coins and listen to the clang!

Follow the photographer here.

Check out the rest of Whidbey’s beautiful destinations from this series here.

Coupeville • Destination Whidbey • Neighborhoods • Places • Things to Do on Whidbey • October 11, 2021

Ebeys Landing

by Windermere Whidbey Island

In 1850, local history was made on the shores of Whidbey Island when Isaac Ebey landed on a rocky westside beach and became the first official white settler on the island. With an entire island to choose from, Ebey couldn’t have done much better than the pristine pastureland of what is now known as Ebey’s Landing. This brilliant landscape is situated right at the southwestern side of Coupeville and features breathtaking views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountain range. The landing’s soft rolling hills blanketed in rich soil—perfect for cultivating crops—was this area’s true draw to its original settler. Today this landscape remains largely unchanged from the early days of settlers thanks to Ebey’s Landing Reserve. It’s the perfect place for a long walk to get lost in the life of the past.

Check out the rest of Whidbey’s beautiful destinations from this series here.

Destination Whidbey • Oak Harbor • Places • Things to Do on Whidbey • May 17, 2021

Old Growth Tree

by Windermere Whidbey Island

Near Cranberry Lake

^{What You Will Find}

During a typical trip to Cranberry Lake, at Deception State Park it would not be uncommon to see kayaks floating atop the still waters, fisherman sitting along the winding edges of the lake, and kids splashing in the shallow waters while their parent’s BBQ.

Have You Seen It All?

But if that is all you have seen you have not gone far enough. Just past the lake is a trail that will lead you through a very rare treasure to this region. SAND DUNES. Dunes are created as grains of sand accumulate into a sheltered area when the wind blows. The limited nutrients, high winds, sun exposure, and salty spray from the ocean makes it extremely difficult for plants to grow here. Many of the plants you see today have adapted to the harsh growing conditions causing them to develop things like small leaves that stand perpendicular to the sun to avoid direct sunlight that assists in the plant’s survival.

The Old Growth Tree

However, despite the challenges stands this old-growth tree. It is quite a unique Douglas-fir.

This particular tree has stood for over 850 years watching as the dunes have taken shape. Its thick bark has guarded it against the harsh conditions in addition to storms, fires, droughts, and diseases that claimed others over the years. For generations, people have climbed this stunning tree. Unfortunately, now the bark is thinning but it can still be appreciated from afar.

Take a Look at Our Interactive Map of the Area Here:

You Might Also Like:

Water Sports on Whidbey